Expressive Art Therapy

As a creative person, I enjoy incorporating expressive arts into my practice with interested clients; including drawing, doodling, collage, journaling, or writing exercises. As an eco-therapist, I encourage clients to observe and integrate natural materials and objects into their lives and use them in creative ways. As a trained MSBR provider, I may include mindfulness and visualization into creative sessions.

Sometimes, the words we use to describe what we are going through (talking) doesn't completely explain our pain or difficulties. Some things are difficult to put into words, yet are felt and sensed quite clearly. This is where non-verbal practices (art, movement, music, writing, storytelling, ritual) can be helpful, as they express--via creativity--the how, what and why of our situation. I am trained in facilitating expressive arts therapy sessions, and have simple tools to offer.

Creativity like visual and 3D arts, writing, poetry, and movement can all be amazing ways to express and explore emotion, challenge our inner critics, and flex our ability to imagine new possibilities.

Art is a way to express your inner self without the limitations of words. Colors, sounds, flavors, and all other sensory experiences are information that can be communicated through various mediums of art. Art leads to connection where there may be isolation. In all shapes and forms, connection and communication is the purpose of art, and connection and communication are the foundations of healing. No level of artistic ability required

Certified in Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing: A Sensorimotor Art Therapy Approach to Bilateral Body Mapping by Dr. Cornelia Elbrecht’s Institute for Sensorimotor Art Therapy (2019) Certified in Level 1 & 2 Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy with Dr. Cathy Malchiodi’s Trauma-Informed Practices & Expressive Arts Therapy Institute (2018-19)

Having performed nationally on stage, radio, and television, I am a spoken word artist and community organizer of an open mic series in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles. I have utilized elements of expressive art therapy with youth, adults, and families. With the understanding that wellness is holistic and the arts are healing, I believe in the therapeutic elements of self-expression for personal growth and greater social change.

While I work remotely I do a great deal of art therapy with clients who are interested. I send materials to clients homes, as well as do art therapy with material individuals have at home.

I am trained in expressive arts techniques which provide people with opportunities to connect with themselves through different mediums and in more abstract ways. I use a technique called PeaceLove to help people safely create an understanding of what brings them peace of mind by reaching that state through artistic expressions.

Expressive Art Therapy is a multi-modal approach to heal; it is an adjunct I use to more traditional methods. It may include music, writing, dance, art and more.

Art brings the power of mindfulness and the joy of self-expression together to foster some truly magical healing. Being able to play, to express yourself without words, and to create a new felt experience is one of the most effective (and enjoyable) ways to heal. You don't have to be "good at art" to find peace and release through creation... you just have to give it a try.

I am a certified expressive arts practitioner (CEAP) and I integrate this work both in person and in Telehealth settings in cases where it may be helpful for one to get out of their head to discover feelings that may be lingering. Expressive arts is used as an adjunct and is a multi-modal approach to healing. It may include; dance, drama, journaling, music, writing and more.

Over 20 years of practice developing and implementing expressive arts therapy programs and activities with children, adolescents, and adults. Systems aware and trauma-informed care that is scientifically proven to relieve feelings.

I held certification for Music Therapist from 2006-2021; I continue to bring my creative arts therapy background into my work through the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (Level II). I find this work personally profound, as music creates a container to explore our deepest, unconscious selves through imagery. I am happy to talk with you more, as this is a niche field.

I've experienced firsthand the power of creative expression to foster healing in my life, and I've seen the way it impacts others as well. With a certificate in expressive arts therapy, I am excited to explore any form of creative expression that lights you up, including visual art, music, writing, movement, singing, drama, and more.

You don't need to be any kind of artist to know that sometimes a picture, poem, sound, or movement is worth 1,000 words- which can be very helpful in therapy! We can try things like drawing a diagram of your relationships, choosing colors to represent your emotions, curating a playlist or image board about your family or job, speaking to your partner as if they're in the room with us, or finding an object that represents you in some way.

Artistry not required! I use active imagination to explore images, symbols, and dreams. These share a common thread in containing messages from the unconscious. Psyche communicates to us in the world of symbols and images. I have specialized training in Dream Analysis, Painting Therapy, Spontaneous Drawing, and am currently enrolled in a 2-year Sandplay training working with symbolic image creation. Let’s decipher the messages from your unconscious to realize your higher Self!

Expressive arts therapy modalities include dance/movement/yoga, writing, poetry, music, sound, drama/enactment/role play, embodiment, art, dreamwork, metaphor and symbolism (often through nature or imagery), and more. My version of expressive arts therapy is inspired by nature, intuition, narrative, and curiosity. Why just talk?

In addition to traditional art therapy, I also use other forms of expressive therapies including narrative, geek therapy, comic therapy, and use gamification to help clients achieve their goals.

I studied expressive arts therapy during my training, where I learned how diverse arts modalities can help individuals process emotions nonverbally. Talk therapy can be helpful for identifying the root cause of the suffering we experience, but processing emotions in the body is necessary for true healing to occur. Music, dance, writing, drawing, sculpting, drama, food, and other creative outlets are some ways we can access body based healing practices.